Marking the similarities between President Barack Obama's time in office and former president Jimmy Carter's is nothing new. But as of Monday, Obama has hit one more Carter benchmark - both saw gas prices double in their first term of office.
In fact, while just barely, Obama has seen an even higher gas price increase than Carter dealt with under his administration.
Under the Carter administration, gas prices increased by 103.77 percent. Gas prices since Obama took office have risen by 103.79 percent. No other presidents in recent years have struggled as much with soaring oil prices. Under the Reagan administration, gas prices actually dropped 66 percent. When Bill Clinton was president, gas prices grew by roughly 30 percent, and under both Bush presidencies, gas prices rose by 20 percent.
The National Republican Congressional Committee called attention to Obama's recent "dishonorable distinction," blaming the Democrats' rejection of the Keystone XL pipeline as a major factor for skyrocketing gas prices.
Gas Prices averaged $1.86 a gallon when Obama took office.
Gas Prices Grow More Under Obama than Carter - Washington Whispers (usnews.com)
DRUDGE REPORT 2012®
First of all, it’s a silly and simplistic thing to assume that the President alone has any sort of ‘super power’ over the price of gas. Also, I think it’s even a stretch to say that Washington in general has as significant effect on the price of gas. But even if you
did think that Washington could significantly affect the price of gas through policy decisions, you still have to consider the
500+ Senators and Representatives that also have control over the law crafting/approval.
Finally I'd like to note that when Obama took office, the price of gas had just crashed
significantly to $1.86 along with the entire economy in 2008. Just months earlier in that same year, the price was at about $4.00+, so itÂ’s dishonest to run these stats without showing the full picture.
Why not compare the average price of gas in 2008 to the average price of gas today? This is a misleading use of statistics, and a dishonest post.